Bedclothes support for bedsteads



Feb. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 19, 1949 Fla- 2 INVENTOR.Caddie Timmons Droke ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1954 c. "r. DRAKE BEDCLOTHESSUPPORT FOR BEDS'IEADS 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Oct. 19. 1949 FIG.- 5

FIG.

INVENTOR. Caddie Timmons Drake ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITEDSTATES ,E ATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a bedclothes support for bedsteads. Ithas to do particularly, although not exclusively, with an attachment forbedsteads, or the like, and is especially useful on the beds of invalidsin hospitals, in private homes, and elsewhere, for the purpose ofsustaining the weight of the bedclothes or covers free from the limbs orother parts of the body of the patient occupying the bed, therebypermitting the unencumbered movements or the patient and also enablingthe attending physician, surgeon, nurse, or other attendant to take careof the needs of the invalid occupying the bed without entirely removinthe bedclothing or other covering.

It has been found further that the attachment in accordance with thepresent invention is also extremely useful in connection with patientssuffering from arthritis, burns, or the like, wherein any weight orpressure whatsoever upon the afliicted parts of the body is mostundesirable and uncomfortable. The attachment also serves the purpose ofsupporting, in a convenient position, irrigation equipment for treatmentof the patient, and likewise serves as convenient supporting means forequipment used in blood transfusions, intravenous injections, and thelike.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a bedstead, or thelike, with a quickly applied and readily detachable transverselyextending cover-supporting attachment or frame structure which has thecharacteristics of being removably mounted, vertically and horizontallyadjustable so as to permit it to fit bedsteads of varying widths, andadjustable lengthwise of the bed to permit it to be located on the bedas desired and in accordance with the requirements and comfort of thebed occupant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedattachment consisting of a sectioned telescopic frame having means formaintaining the sections in their relatively adjusted positions, inwhich the means are so arranged with relation to the frame itself a toprovide no obstructions for the bedclothing placed over the frame andsupported thereby.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedbedclothes supporting attachment or unit as aforesaid, in which the baseor supporting portions of the attachment are so arranged andproportioned as to permit the attachment to be applied to or mountedupon beds of different types wherein the bed rails are also of differenttypes.

Another and important object of the present invention is to providespring-like friction clip means or clamps for removably yet securelyconnecting the bedclothes supporting attachment to portions of the bedframe; another object being to provide such spring-like friction clipmeans or clamps capable of fitting bed rails of various kinds.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedattachment for bedsteads which is capable of providing supporting meansnot only for the bedclothes but also for irrigating devices and otherequipment for use in treating a patient occupying the bed upon which theattachment is mounted.

1 A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedattachment of the foregoing nature which is of relatively sturdyconstruction, yet relatively lightweight, and one whose parts permit theuse of the attachment with bed steeds of various types; it being anotherand important object of the invention to provide an attachment which isrelatively inexpensiv to manufacture and which can, therefore, be soldat a reasonable price.

The foregoing and other objects and advan tages of the present inventionwill appear from the following description and appended claims whenconsidered in connection with th accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts in the several views.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing a conventionalbedstead havin by way of illustration, two of the supports orattachments embodying the present invention applied thereto andillustrating thereby two different modes of application to the bedstead;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the attachmentfl shown adjacentthe head of the bed in Fig. '1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of portions of cooperatingtelescoping sections at the right of the attachment unit locatedadjacent the headboard of the bed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the springlike friction clipmember or clamps embodying the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail perspective view, partly in section, andon an enlarged scale, illustrating one manner of attaching one end ofone of the supporting frames of Fig. 1 to an angle iron type of bed siderail;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating a somewhat differentmode of application of the frame to a bed side rail;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary end elevational view, partly in section,showing another application of the bedclothes supportin attachment ofFig. 5 to a bed; and

Fig. 8 is an end elevational View illustrating the use of an attachmentor support of the present invention in connection with a bed having woodside .rails.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement .of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understoodalso that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for thepurpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended tolimit the invention herein claimed beyond the requirements of the priorart.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, A represents as a whole, aconventional type of bedstead upon which an attachment according to thepresent invention may be mounted. The bedstead comprises a head portioniii, a foot portion I I, a left side rail 12 and a right side rail i3,these side rails being preferably of angle iron cross section, as seenin Figs. 5, 6 and '7. In Fig. 7, a conventional bed springs 14 and aconventional mattress 15 are illustrated.

In Fig. 1.1 have shown, for the purpose of illustration, two differentapplications of one embodiment of a bedclothes supporting attachment ofthe present invention, the application located nearest the bed headboardin being indicated as a whole at B, and the other application of theattachment as a Whole at C, somewhat remote from said headboard. In thisfigure and also in Fig. 4, the spring-like clip means or clamp which maybe desirable for use in connecting the attach ment to the bed frame, isindicated as a whole at D.

With reference now particularly to frame unit B, it will be seen inFigs. 1, 2, 3 and 6 that the attachment is in the form of a sectioned orsectional frame whiohconsists of upright preferably tubular lowermembers It and I9, the member [*6 having a right .angularly disposedbase or connecting member consisting of ahorizontalportion 16a and adepending or vertical portion 161). Member 19 is provided with asimilarly disposed base or connecting member which comprises horizontalportion 19a and .adependi-ng or vertical portion 19b.

Tubular portion l6 carries a tubular connecting sectionor female memberIT whichslips over portion 16, whereas portion [9 carries asimilarfemaletubular connecting section 2%! which slips over member or portion l9.The tubular member 11 receives and supports with a free sliding fit,thelower upright end portion of a curved section .or member-.2 l.Tubularsection 2t receives a similarly shapedsection 22. mounted asshownin Figs..1 and 2, it will beseen that the upper ends of sections 2|and '2'2extend in'horizonta'l planes and are in opposed spacedrelationship to one another. These opposed end portions of members 2!and 22 are telescoped within and supported by the tubular section orsleeve-like female member '23 to complete the whole-frame unit orattachment.

All of the frame sections it through 23 are detacha'blyconnected-together, as 'seen in-Fig.2, to

When the parts are;

provide the complete unit 13. Combined bolts and wing nuts 24 and 25extend through openings in the midsection of connecting sleeve I! asshown, to maintain these several parts in their desired assembledpositions. Bolt 25: rests upon the top end of member it and the bottomend of member 2| rests upon bolt 25. Similar combined bolts and wingnuts 26 and 2?! serv to removably connect together in similar manner,the sections I9, and 22. The inner or upper end portions of curvedsections and 22 are adjustably telescoped with and maintained in properadjusted position with relation to sleeve-like section 23, by combinedbolts and wing nuts 28 and 29.

It is to be seen with particular reference to Figs. 2 and '3 that theheads of the several bolts above described are rounded so as to presentno obstruction which might snag the bedclothing. Moreover, the wing nutscarried by the upright connecting members are preferably disposed at theinner surface of the sections of frame so that the bedclothing can bemoved over the unit or supportin attachment without interference. Thebolts and wing nuts in the upper or horizontal tubular connecting memberare preferably disposed in horizontal planes for the same reason. It isto be understood that the number of holes formed in the cooperatingtelescoping parts, and

.- ment extend horizontally and outward, with the vertical portions 6band It?) depending from the outer ends of said horizontal portions.Thus, if desired, the portions Isa may be brought into engagement withto overlie the top flange of a side rail, such as side rail 12 with thedepending portion Nb resting against the vertical flange or the siderail. The corresponding portions Ida and [9b would have the samerelationship with the opposite side rail, such as side rail i3 of Fig.1.

When employing the attachment illustrated at B upon a bed having angleiron type of side rails, it probably would be desirable to employ clipmembers or clamps, such as illustrated at D in the drawings, one suchbeing shown in detached relationship in Fig. 4. As shown by way ofillustration, clip D comprises preferably an upper plate portion and alower plate portion 4% which are connected together to form asubstantiallylJ -shaped spring-like clip or clamp member engageable withthe top flange of an angle iron bed rail, such as rail 52. The bottom orunder portion 4631s extended to provide a depending or right angularlydisposed plate-like portion 41 having a portion of its body removed orcut out, as at 143. The vU--shaped part .of the Clip Lin" cluding theupper and lower portions 46 and, respectively, has a pair ofsubstantially parallel cutout portions orslots 49 and 59, with the slot4.9 being located nearer the closed portion .of the U memberdfi, than isslot 50. When employing attachment B as seenin Figs. 1 and 2,.Qlips Dare slipped over the top flanges of the left and right side rails 12 andI3, respectively, where.- upongthe depending portions I61) and 1.912ofthe frame base are inserted in either of .the slots '49 0125.0 :formedin the clip member D. As seen in Fig. 6,.member 16b has been inserted inslot 5?; of the clip. As also seen in Fig. 6, the purpose of the cutoutportion 48 will be apparent. By virtue ;of iii}, the depending plate .41will 'lieflat against the vertical flange of rail [2, surrounding thehead of rivet Ila.

Frame B is employed in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 whenit is desired to support the bedclothes (not shown) out of contact withthe patient but without having the spread as wide from side to side aswhen the frame is employed as illustrated .at C in Fig. 1. The springclip member D provides means for rigidly supporting the attachment B andmay be snapped into position over the bed rails and removed therefromwith ease and facility. 1

Another manner in which one of the frames of the present invention maybe employed in connection with a bed having angle iron side rails, isalso shownin Fig. 1 by the frame represented at C.

3 Frame C is substantially the same as frame B and comprises basemembers 30 and 32 having depending bed frame-engaging horizontalportions 30a and 32a, respectively, and depending vertical extensions30b and 32b, respectively, these parts being adapted for associationwith the left side rail l2 of the bedstead and being shown in detail inFig. 5. In accordance with the use of frame C, the depending portions30b and 3213. respectively (part 321) not being shown but correspondingto part I912 of Fig. 2), are passed through slots 50 of the clips D,whereupon the horizontal portions 30a and 32a are disposed inwardly andrest fiatwise upon and overlie the upper portions or parts 45 of theclips or clamps D.

As seen in Fig. 1, the base members 30 and 32 of unit are telescopedinto tubular members 3| and 33, respectively, with lower combined wingnuts and bolts 31 and 39 resting upon the upper ends of members and 32.The tubular connecting members 3! and 33 receive the lower upright endportions of curved frame sections 34 and 35, respectively, and supportthese members by upper bolts 38 and 40, see Fig. l, which have wing nutslike members 31 and 39. The upper end portions of sections 34 and extendtoward one another in opposed relationship and generally in a commonhorizontal plane. As shown, they are telescoped within and alsoadjustable with respect to a tubular connecting section or female member36, similar to tube 23 of unit B. The

inturned and opposed upper ends of frame mem- Y bers 34 and 35 are heldin adjustable telescoped relationship with horizontal frame section orconnecting sleeve member 36, by means of registering horizontallydisposed holes in the parts which receive the combined bolts and wingnuts 4| and 42. These latter are similar to members 28 and 29 of unit B.In most respects, the structure of frame or unit C corresponds to thestructure of frame or unit B. Frame C is adjustable in width as is frameB, and as shown applied to bed Ain Fig. 1, the frame C extends from sideto side of the bed frame and thus is capable of maintaining thebedolothing out of contact throughout the entire width of the bedsprings and mattress.

Both of the sectional frames or attachments B or C may be shifted oradjusted lengthwise of the bed rails. Moreover, two or more completeunits or sectioned frames may be applied to the same bed if and whendesirable, in which case the units may be shifted or adjustedlongitudinally relative to one another and with relation to thebedstead.

It is not necessary when employing either frame B or frame C to use theclip members D, although it is desirable and preferable to use theseclip members when a frame is installed up on a bedstead having the usualangle iron side rails, as do hospital beds, for example.

Fig. 7 serves to illustrate one use of theadjustable frame C withoutemploying the clips D. In this instance, the base member portions 30aand 30b directly engage the left bed rail 12, the horizontal portion300. being held fiatwise upon the horizontal flange of said rail by thebed springs HI and mattress [5, the weightof these members being ampleto hold the frame C in place properly. Thus, it will be seen that theadjustable frame or attachment can be employed in connection withbedsteads or cots having angle iron side rails without requiring the useof the clips D.

In installations where the clips D are employed, their size may bevaried and the number of slots, such as the slots 49 and 50 may also bevaried, as desirable.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a further use of the present invention.In this figure, a portion of the frame or attachment C is illustrated inconnection with a bed having wood side rails, one being shown. In thisinstance, it will be seen that the base member 38 at the left of theframe has its angularly disposed members or portions 30a and 33b restingupon the upper edge of the wood bed rail I20 and the inner face of saidwood bed rail, respectively, the lower end of depending or verticalportion 30b being shown disposed between the inner face of wood bed railI20 and bed slat I40. The frame or attachment when installed inaccordance with .Fig. 8, will thus be held in the desired uprightposition. It will be capable of being adjusted lengthwise of the bedalong the bed rail I 20 and 3, corresponding bed rail at the other side(not shown).

As stated above, the improved attachments comprising the sectionedbedclothes supporting frame of the present invention, serve also asmeans for supporting irrigating equipment, and other equipment, whichheretofore had to be fastened in some manner or other to either thefootboard or headboard or frame of the bed; or

-. else supported by a separate standard or supporting means.

The attachment, or sectioned frame in accordance with the presentinvention is preferably formed from metal. Aluminum or aluminum alloymay be desirable for this purpose because of its characteristic of lightweight. The sections of the frame may be polished, chrome plated, nickelplated, or the like, if desirable.

Moreover, it is entirely possible that in view of the various kinds andtypes of plastics now available, the entire frame, or at least a majorportion of the parts thereof, may be formed from plastic.

I claim:

1. An attachment for bedsteads for maintaining the bedclothes out ofcontact with the occupant of the bed, comprising a substantially U-shaped sectional support formed from tubular stock and adapted to bearranged transversely of the bedstead, said support including uprightleg members having angularly disposed portions at their lower ends,means for receiving and conmeeting together the sections of saidsupport, releasable means for holding the sections and connecting meanstogether in adjusted positions whereby to permit the support to beexpanded and contracted to fit beds of different sizes, and spring-likeclamping members for removably and frictionally engaging the bed siderails and for removably receiving and supporting the angularly 7disposed portions of the leg members to maim tain the sectional supportin upright position transversely of the bedstead.

2. An adjustable bedclothes supporting attach-nient for bedsteads,comprising a sectional substantially ll-shaped frame formed from tubularstock adapted to be arranged transversely or the bedstead, saidsectional frame comprising relatively adjustable cooperating telescopingsec tions arranged in horizontal and in upright planes, removable meansengaging said cooperating telescoping sections for holding the sectionstogether in adjusted relationship, a base member carried by the lowerend of each of the upright portions of the frame sections engage ablewith spaced portions of the bedstead for removably supporting the frameupon said spaced portions, and friction spring-like clip membersdisposed between the base members and the spaced portions of thebedstead and frictionally gripping the said spaced portions forremovably supporting the frame inoperative position.

3. Structure according to claim 2, mounted upon and removably attachedto a bedstead.

4, The combination with a bedstead, of a pair of adjustable bed clothessupporting attachments removably and adjustably mounted thereon, eachattachment comprising a sectional substantially U-'-shaped frameadaptedto be arranged trans versely of the bedstead, each of saidsectional frames comprising relatively adjustable cooperatingtelescoping sections arranged in horizontal and in upright planes, eachof said supporting attachments being capable of lengthwise movement withrelation to the bedstead and with relation to the other attachment, basemembers for the lower ends of the upright portions of the frame sectionsengaging spaced portions of the bedstead for removably supporting theframe upon said spaced portions, and spring-like friction clips disposedbetween the base members of each of the be'dc'lothes supportingattachments and the bedstead and frictionally gripping said bedstead forremovably supporting the be'dclothes supporting attachments in operativerelationship upon the bedstead and permitting their adjustmentlengthwise of the bedstead.

attachment for bedsteads' for maintain mg the b'edcloths out of contactwith the (icon pant of the bed, comprising a substantially U-shapedsectional support formed from tubular stock and adapted to bearranged transversely of the bedstead, said support including uprightleg members having horizontal and vertical an gularly disposed portionsat their lower ends, means for receiving and connecting together thesections of said support, and releasable means for holding the sectionsand connecting means together in adjustedpositions whereby to permit thesupport to be expanded and contracted to fit beds of different sizes,said angularly disposed horizontal portions being engageable with theupper edges of the bed side rails and with the Ver-' tical portionslying flatwise against upright sur-' faces of the side rails betweensaid rails and the slats of a bedstead for maintaining the sectionalsupport in upright position transversely of the bedstead.

6. A removable clip member for interposition between a bed frame memberof a bedstead and a bedclothes supporting attachment for the bedstead,comprising a substantially U-shaped por-' tion for frictional engagementwith and embrac ing a part of the bed frame member, and a brace portionextending at substantially a right angle from one end of said U-shapedportion and en gaging another part of the same bed frame mem her inabutting relationship to support the clip member in operative position,said U-sha'pd por tion having alined sockets for receiving a portion ofthe bedclothes supporting attachment and re movably supporting saidattachment, and said brace portion having a relieved area to clear anobstruction on the bed frame member.

CADDIE TIMMONS DRAKE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

